In the previous episode, we had witnessed Yudishtra’s reply to Draupati’s venting of anger and frustration. As Draupati starts reluctantly arguing with Yudishtra over “Dharma” and the moment she mentions that even Bhagawan is inside the “Karma” cycle and Bhagawan also seems to be hand and glove with whatever “Adharma” is happening around, Yudishtra loses his cool for the first time ever. He angrily replies to Draupati that whatever opinion she has upon Bhagawan and the Vedas are completely wrong and she looks at everything in terms of an opportunistic mindset. Yudishtra clearly states that whatever happens in this world, we do not have any control over it, and it is according to Bhagawan’s divine will. Yudishtra also reiterates the important point that Bhagawan doesn’t dance to the tunes of anyone in this world. He cannot be curtailed by the “Karma” cycle and Bhagawan is someone who is beyond all this. Thus, Yudishtra advises Draupati to be patient and expresses his displeasure for the statements that she had made.
As Yudishtra says thus, he adds further to his narrative: “Oh Draupati! Please understand one thing very clearly – If we’re experiencing these sufferings, it is because of our “Karma”. We never know what bad things we’ve done to others in the past. Hence, if you feel that you’ve to get over your “Karma” very soon, you go and exhibit “Sharanaagati” to Bhagawan and free yourself. Just think about what you said – You say that Bhagawan is also inside the “Karma” cycle and He is not beyond it, didn’t you? Now think on these lines – For instance, if Surya Bhagawan (Sun God) is emitting an enormous amount of light to brighten the entire world, what if darkness comes and sticks to it? Does anyone in this world asks such a stupid question? Can darkness stick on to Surya Bhagawan? Similarly, if Bhagawan is helping all of us to come out of the “Karma” vicious cycle, and if He is also within that same cycle, how will He be able to help us come out? For instance, if you’ve fallen into the well, people from outside the well can only pull you out of it, right? How can a person who has also fallen into the same well as you, save you from it? What kind of logic are you talking about? Hence, please understand the fact that Bhagawan is beyond all the “Karma” cycles that we undergo as normal human beings. Please do not make such foolish arguments!”
As Yudishtra replies firmly thus, Draupati is still not convinced! She still has some doubts sticking on to her! She once again questions Yudishtra’s gross inaction thus, “Oh Yudishtra! Fine! I accept and agree to your point that Bhagawan is beyond everything. But you are not Bhagawan, are you? You are amidst the “Karma” cycle, is it not? Hence, as a king, and as a “Kshatrya prince” you should have your own “Purushaartha”, shouldn’t you? Now where is that “Purushaartha” that you possess? So, is your “Purushaartha” staying silent when people around you are getting insulted and humiliated?” As Draupati says thus, Bheemasena also joins her and asks Yudishtra quickly, “Oh brother! So your silence simply means that your “Purushaartha” is completely weak! You do not have the guts to stand up and rise to the occasion!”
As people question Yudishtra on a term called “Purushaartha”, we should first understand what this “Purushaartha” terminology means. It simply means “Something that a Purusha (King) likes a lot and goes after meticulously! Now what should be an ideal “Purushaartha” for a king? It should be the “Raajyam” or kingdom, isn’t it? This is exactly what Draupati is asking here. She has this point in her mind and frames her question very beautifully and smartly! Hence, Draupati is indirectly asking Yudishtra, why is he failing in his duties as a king! If one is a king of a territory, there are certain duties and responsibilities that he needs to discharge, isn’t it? Now Draupati’s question here is, why is Yudishtra running away from performing his duties towards his “Raajyam”? Why is he hiding himself behind something called “Dharma” and is grossly insensitive to whatever is happening? In similar lines, Bheemasena gives a slightly different definition to the term “Purushaartha”. Now he says that “Purushaartha” means, victory, war, battlefield, fight, killing and avenging the insult that is meted out to him! Thus, Bheemasena is very clear here – As a king, Yudishtra has forgone all his “Purushaartha” and is afraid of entering the battlefield and fighting! If he really has the guts, why not call Duryodhana to the battlefield and give him a drubbing straightaway, instead of accepting whatever he says? Why should Yudishtra accept a punishment that hasn’t come out of a legal crime proceeding? What is the reason behind hiding behind “Dharma” if there is no fault from our side?
Thus, Draupati and Bheemasena employ this term called “Purushaartha” and are trying to corner Yudishtra through this. Now this will be a very interesting answer from Yudishtra to both these people! What did Yudishtra reply? An interesting episode dedicated to this is awaiting us tomorrow! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 